PORTLAND, Ore. –– An Oregon court has remanded an asbestos lawsuit, finding that since the plaintiffs had waived any claims relating to exposure on U.S. Naval ships, separating state-based claims would cause “unnecessary cost, delay, and risk of inconsistent verdicts.”

In the Feb. 2 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon found that the defendants had valid grounds for removal at the time they removed the claims, but that the plaintiffs’ post-removal waiver of federal-related claims justified remand.

The plaintiffs asserted the claims on behalf of Rex D. Pelker Jr., contending that he developed lung cancer as ...